From marine accident to tourism icon
Before becoming a famous check-in spot, the cargo ship named Thanh Hung 06 used to be a regular sea transport vehicle, owned by a transport company, transporting heavy goods along the central coastal routes. In February 2023, the ship had an accident with its rudder falling off, was washed ashore by waves and ran aground in Bai Thong area, about 30 km from Phan Rang 4 ward (formerly Phan Rang city). Initially, this was just a simple maritime accident. But after many years of not being salvaged, the ship still lies still in the middle of the deserted sea and sky over time and gradually becomes a part of the landscape here.
After the maritime accident, the ship lay abandoned in the middle of the sea and sky, becoming a check-in coordinate that attracts tourists.
The ship lying there is no longer as majestic as it used to be, the hull is rusty, the cabin is cracked, bare with stains, each piece of paint peeling under the sun and wind of the Central region creates a very unique beauty of ruin. That scene not only arouses curiosity but also inspires artistic inspiration - the inspiration that makes this place become a coordinate hunted by young people who love taking photos.
From an accident at sea, the dilapidated ship became the background for artistically “damaged” frames. Photos of the ship lying on its side under the gray sky, the long white sand beach or the afternoon shadow behind the ship spread on social media platforms as a symbol of the melancholy color of Khanh Hoa sea. From an unexpected accident, the anonymous ship gradually became an indispensable highlight in the journey of discovery of tourists.
Frames anchored in memory
During more than two years of being stranded, the ship became the backdrop for countless artistic photos, a place where the wilderness meets emotions. Arriving in Khanh Hoa in May 2025 on a 2-day-1-night trip, Nguyen Hoang Hieu had to exclaim in admiration because "the scenery was truly amazing, the sea was blue, the sand was white and the rusty ship lay alone like in a post-apocalyptic movie".
The dirt road leading to Bai Thong is quite deserted, with many bumpy sections. But it is this desolation that makes the experience even more special. In the space filled with only the sound of the sea breeze and a few birdsongs, the lonely ship appears like a forgotten character in an old story. Many people have called this place an "outdoor exhibition", where nature and time come together to create a work of art. The frontal angles give the feeling of Europe, while the tilted frames are like old films with a sad color.
Nguyen Hoang Hieu took the opportunity to record images of the stranded ship when he heard the news of its dismantling.
As for Nguyen Hong Nhat, who visited this place during his family trip across Vietnam in early 2025, the ship is “a masterpiece of desolation”. He used witty words to describe it in his own way: “like a stop-motion film”, “a tragic poem”. The writing is humorous but a bit regretful at the end: “Everyone, hurry up and visit Hung soon, otherwise Hung will be deserted!”.
The ship is not just a photo spot. It is also a symbol of a moment, a place of transient beauty, where beauty does not come from its integrity but from the traces of time, from its lonely figure in the middle of the sea and sky. Those who have been there feel like they are leaving their footprints in a world that is both real and dreamlike, where time stands still on the rusted paint and the surrounding atmosphere is quiet.
Nguyen Hong Nhat and his wife also managed to check in with the stranded ship during their trip across Vietnam.
When the icon fades into the past
In May 2025, the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee approved a plan to dismantle and salvage the stranded ship to ensure maritime safety and protect the marine environment. On July 7, 2025, the stranded ship officially entered the dismantling process. Previously, since mid-June, functional units had drained all fuel and checked technical safety in preparation for the salvage work. Parts of the ship's hull were disassembled by cranes and mechanical equipment, each piece of rusted iron gradually left the sea surface, where many frames and emotions were once kept.
It is expected that within 45 days, by the end of July, the entire area will be cleaned up. Bai Thong will be restored to its pristine state, and the local government will also carry out propaganda activities to protect marine resources and raise awareness among tourists. In the future, Bai Thong may be planned as an eco-tourism area or integrated into clean energy projects.
The ship is expected to be dismantled in 45 days, returning the original pristine appearance to the Bai Thong area.
Although it was completely wiped out for maritime safety reasons, the image of the rusty ship that once lay silently in the sea and sky of Khanh Hoa will still be anchored in the memories of those who have set foot there. A random symbol for a short period in the journey of tourism in Khanh Hoa, then also left quietly as it came.
